Carla is a step closer to Samoa

Garioch bowler Carla Banks is in pole position to make it to the Commonwealth Youth games in Samoa after emerging victorious from the selection finals at Glasgow Indoor Bowling Club.

Carla, who plays at Inverurie Bowling Club outdoor and Garioch indoor won her qualifying place after three fine performances at the weekend. She defeated indoor club mate Emily Gray in the quarter final before an impressive 21-17 win against Stephanie Wallace (Auchinleck) in the semi-final.

The final could not have been any closer with the Inverurie bowler winning through with a 21-20 victory against Kimberley Dodds (Falkirk). Carla will now represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa that run from September 5 to 11 this year.

“Today means everything to me and it’s the best thing that has happened so far in my life,” said Banks, who had already played Dodds twice this season with the score before the crucial match standing at one each.

Carla added, “I was really nervous going into each game but I gained more confidence with each one.

“They were all very close games and all could have gone either way, so I’m happy I managed to stick in and win.

“Going to Samoa would be an amazing opportunity, a tick off my bucket list.”

The partnership between Bowls Scotland and the Scottish Indoor Bowling Association organised the selection series as a rigorous and fair test of Scotland’s youth. There was an overwhelming response with 124 players aged 14-18 entering the competition.

Only Carla’s name will be submitted to Commonwealth Games Scotland to be considered for the Samoa bound team.